A versatile 16-in/4-out audio interface bundled with Cubase LE5.

The US-1800 audio interface from Tascam offers a high amount of inputs for a minimum amount of cash. The US-1800 features up to 16 inputs and four outputs that are transmitted to your Mac or Windows computer over a high-speed USB 2.0 connection. There are a total of eight XLR microphone inputs with phantom power and 60 decibels of clean gain, as well as six balanced line inputs, stereo digital I/O and MIDI in/out. Also Included with the US-1800 is Cubase LE5 workstation software from Steinberg. This 48-track audio workstation includes must-have features like automation, plug-ins, mixing, editing and MIDI tracks.

US-1800 rackmountable 16x4 channel interfaceTASCAM's US-1800 packs 8 mic, 6 line and two digital inputs into a single rack unit, more inputs than most interfaces in its price class. The 16-in / 4-out interface works with nearly any recording software from budget to pro, including Logic Pro, Live, Nuendo, Digital Performer, Fruity Loops, and Pro Tools. It’s compact enough to carry to live gigs, or mount it in a rack in your studio.

In addition to the digital input and output, a MIDI input and output is included for interfacing with synths and drum machines.

Full-featured inputsEight microphone inputs are provided right on the front panel for easy access. Phantom power is available for condenser microphones, and plenty of gain is available for recording virtually any source. Also on the front panel is a pair of 1/4" inputs. Each of these can be switched to instrument level for direct recording of your guitar or bass.

A direct monitor path is available during recording to prevent the delays that can occur when recording to computer. This allows the musician to hear the input directly to the output without any delay so that timing isn't distracted by echos.A total of six balanced line inputs can be attached using the front and rear panel jacks. A set of balanced line outputs are provided to connect to monitors, and a S/PDIF digital input and output is provided for use with high-end synths and processing gear. A stereo 1/4" headphone jack is also provided for monitoring.

Cubase LE5 IncludedIncluded with the US-1800 is a copy of Cubase LE5, a 48-track workstation application with the features to create polished productions. VST plug-in support, automated mixing and MIDI tracks allow you to craft large productions without adding any other software.

If you want to use your own software, the US-1800 supports most Mac and Windows software such as Logic Pro, Live, Nuendo, Digital Performer, Fruity Loops, and Pro Tools.

Features

16-in / 4-out USB 2.0 audio interface

Eight XLR microphone inputs with phantom power

Six 1/4" balanced line inputs, ideal for guitars and other instruments

The audio interface is a welcome upgrade from the smaller home recording unit, whose buttons wear out after a while. My problem with this unit was the software that came with it, from Steinberg. The elicence part would simply not install. I called up Music123 tech and they didn't get back to me. I called up tascam and they gave me the same instructions as the Steinberg installation web page and told me to contact Steinberg if it didn't work. I called up Steinberg and they said to email them to make an appointment for a phone call, because they no longer provided immediate access to live technicians. I searched the Steinberg web for LCC2 error that I was getting and found the exact same complaint with no resolution. Then I searched google and found others that had the same problem and provided a solution. I was starting the process of reinstalling the software again when I said to myself,"try it one more time." I installed the elicense and then ran the steinberg elicense update and it actually worked. It was probably the 5th time I'd done it that way, but this time it worked and the rest of the software installed without a problem. I burned up 3 days and 10 hours worth of time across the 3 days hacking my way through the installation. An hour after I got the software installed, I got an email from Steinberg telling me to do the same thing that the google search suggested. I kind of expected the music123 techs to not really know that much but the tascam people couldn't get me off the phone fast enough to off load me to Steinberg and Steinberg was the ultimate fustration. The moral of the story is if you need this to work immediately, give yourself a few more days just in case.Good Luck

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